Rabbi Zev Leff is Rav of Moshav Matisyahu, and a renowned lecturer and educator. He is the author of Shiurei Bina - Outlooks & Insights on the Weekly Torah Portion, and most recently, Shemoneh Esrei: The Depth and Beauty of Our Daily Tefillah, published by Targum Press. Visit his website online at www.rabbileff.net.
Our three main daily prayers stem from the three great patriarchs of our nation: Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Rabbi Leff gives an introduction on the nature of prayer - and how best to fulfill it. He examines the morning prayer of Shacharis and how it was fashioned to work into our bones the traits of Avraham.
Prayer and a river of tears are Divinely yearned for on Rosh Hashanah. So how are we to understand the statement that the gates of tears are never closed? Learn about this critical day that affects the outcome of your entire year.
Prayer is remarkably effective, but along with tears the level of feelings and sincerity are taken so much deeper. Rabbi Leff discusses why the gates of tears are never closed and examines what this state says about us and the level of our understanding.
We can understand that by creating a more intimate relationship with Hashem through prayer, we are able to improve our inner awareness, but the task of deepening the realization that He is the only One that can affect a change in our lives is a bit formidable. Hear a workable way to alter this crucial perception through prayer.
In this talk Rav Leff explains both the simple and the deeper effects of a blessing, and the reasons why a Jew is enjoined to say so many of them. By highlighting as an example the blessing after a complete meal, he shows the tremendous value of carefully making all the other blessings we say throughout the day.
Are we really expected to thank the ground under our feet for letting us walk on it, or to thank a door for closing behind us? Rabbi Leff explains how hakaras hatov has a far greater definition than gratitude. In this multi-faceted talk, delve into the broader concept of hakaras hatov to begin appreciating the myriad sources of 'good' in your life. Hear also how this concept expands its influence within Eretz Yisroel.
Even though there were other monotheists who lived during Avraham time, Rabbi Leff puts his finger on the unique aspect of this great man. Hear how Avraham worked out a concept of life till he fully assimilated it into his being, and how his incredible clarity of belief in God gave him the insight to touch people in very special ways.
We have a life that we are able to maintain, but in truth we've barely scratched its full potential. Rabbi Leff describes how we could be functioning on that higher level, to a point of exercising our emotions for things beyond the immediate present. Were we to perceive the blessings of this elevated state, we would marvel at all the possibilities before us.
Energies we gain from following Torah guidelines have deep and far-reaching effects - whether we feel it or not. However, more than the actions we perform is the 'force of will' behind them. Rabbi Leff posits that each individual is given specific inborn middos. Our choice is to fine tune them, or dissipate them with senseless negativity. Hear the art of passing developed middos on to the next generation.
For seven weeks we count the Omer in preparation for Kabbalas HaTorah on Shavuos. Each of the seven weeks has a different task, and each day has a unique built-in opportunity to help you define and refine your personality. Rabbi Leff offers a solution to help you develop a more stable consistency in your day to day life.